Second-wave cannabis products like topicals, extracts and edibles are finally expected to hit the shelves at stores in a number of Prairie and Atlantic Canada provinces this week.

Offering in provinces such as  Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and P.E.I are getting the jump on a number of large markets, but there is some caution to go along with the excitement. Those in the know are encouraging cannabis connoisseurs and new users alike to “start low and go slow” with many of the products, especially if they’re unfamiliar.

“If you have yet to try an edible, start slow,” recommends Ryan Roch, owner of Lake City Cannabis in Chestermere, Alta. “As a very experienced user, the large majority of bad experiences I have had were as a result of edibles,” Roch said.

He told The GrowthOp that it’s also a good idea to take one’s environment into account when consuming edibles, especially as a new user. “It’s very important to enjoy them in a friendly and calm space for the first time,” he said. “Gather with friends at home playing games or just watching a fun movie. Avoid places with large amounts of stimulation,” he advised.

Edibles have a longer onset than inhaled cannabis, and the effects can vary greatly based on a wide variety of factors. These include the type of edible and its ingredients, what else (if anything) the consumer has eaten, and their specific tolerance to THC (aka tetrahydrocannabinol, the intoxicating compound in the cannabis plant).

The extended onset means that some users — especially those who are inexperienced or used to consuming via inhalation — may believe the edible isn’t working and consume more. While it’s unlikely to cause any lasting damage, users could definitely be setting themselves up for a bad time.

“Never take another one,” cautioned Roch. “If it doesn’t work out, try again with something marginally stronger next time.”

Health Canada approved second-wave cannabis products such as edibles on Oct. 17, 2019, a year after federal legalization came into force. After Oct. 17, the industry underwent a 60-day wait period for testing before the products were made available for sale in licensed retail stores.

Consequently, the second-wave product rollout will also be “starting low and going slow.” That being the case, consumers shouldn’t expect stores in every province to have edibles in stock; those that do are unlikely to have a full range of product offerings on the shelves.

“We don’t have access to order anything yet,” said Roch. “I expect that to change the first or second week of January.”

Legal edibles are coming to Atlantic Canada, with both Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI expecting to have some items available in the very near future. The PEI government, for its part, has launched a video detailing some things to keep in mind when consuming edibles.

As for the Rock, consumers there would have first crack at ordering or enjoy any edibles that are available.

Some provinces won’t have certain products at all. Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, have respectively banned the sale of cannabis vapes, with the former also placing heavy restrictions on other products, such as edibles.

When second-wave products do come in, Roch said he “feels like our Canadian LPs did lots of homework for round two. The pricing seems to be far more competitive as well as the quality has been a focus.”

So what’s the product he’s looking forward to the most? “I am generally most excited about the teas,” he said. “I think they are going to really be a fantastic way to consume.”